Five pending UFA the Leafs should look at

First round picks at '13 NHL draft

QMI Agency hockey expert Terry Koshan breaks down all 30 first round picks in the 2013 NHL draft. Click through the slideshow for Koshan's analysis.

Ryan Hartman was drafted 30th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Agitation is the name of Hartman's game, Koshan says. Not to mention he can score. Solid pick to end the first round.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Jason Dickinson was selected 29th overall by the Anaheim Ducks during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. It’s the old adage with teens — consistency has to improve. But there is offensive potential with Dickinson, according to Koshan.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Morgan Klimchuk was selected 28th overall by the Calgary Flames during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Koshan points out that Klimchuk managed more than a point-a-game pace on a weak Pats team. Projected as a two-way forward.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Marko Dano was selected 27th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Scouts don’t mind that he is learning to be consistent. Solid offensive upside, Koshan says.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Shea Theodore was selected 26th overall by the Anaheim Ducks during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Likes to take risks from the blue line, but that can be corrected. Koshan sees Theodore possibly becoming part of the Ducks' power play.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Michael McCarron was selected 25th overall by the Montreal Canadiens during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. At 6-foot-5, 228 pounds, McCarron has size to be power forward, Koshan says. Loves to play a physical game.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Hunter Shinkaruk was selected 24th overall by the Vancouver Canucks during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Skating and explosiveness are assets, but fell a bit in the first round. Koshan says Shinkaruk has a nack for the net.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Andre Burakovsky was selected 23rd overall by the Washington Capitals during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. There's little to go on here as the Austrian did not get a lot of ice time in Malmo. Speedy and creative, according to Koshan.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Emile Poirier was selected 22nd overall by the Calgary Flames during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Flames went off the board, Koshan says, as Poirier was seen as going in middle of second round. Seventy points last season.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Frederik Gauthier was selected 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Gauthier's a defensive-minded centre but has some offensive upside. Will play against opposition’s top line, Koshan predicts.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Anthony Mantha was selected 20th overall by the Detroit Red Wings during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. He can score, as evidenced by 50 goals last season, but has to work on bringing passion to every shift, Koshan says.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Kerby Rychelis was selected 19th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Son of former NHLer Warren can score and is physical. Koshan projects him as a power forward in the NHL.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Mirco Mueller was selected 18th overall by the San Jose Sharks during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Stay-at-home blueliner benefited from leaving Switzerland to play in WHL, according to Koshan. Probably a five or six. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Nikita Zadorov was selected 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Defensive defenceman who needs time to develop, Koshan says. At 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, size made him attractive.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Ryan Pulock was selected 15th overall by the New York Islanders during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Offensive defenceman, Koshan reports, but some scouts think he has reached his potential. Hard shot is an asset.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Alexander Wennberg was selected 14th by the Columbus Blue Jackets during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Koshan says Wennberg brings speed and the ability to make good decisions. Scored 14 goals on 18.9% shooting last season.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Josh Morrissey was selected 13th overall by the Winnipeg Jets during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Morrissey's not overly big at 5-foot-11, 182 pounds, but scouts didn’t mind. Koshan says he's a strong puck-mover with a keen first pass.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Max Domi was selected 12th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Koshan says Domi has his father’s competitive spirit, but plenty more offensive skills. Lots of creativity. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Samuel Morin was selected 11th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. At 6-foot-7, 200 pounds, Koshan says he won’t be hard to find. Morin had made strong progression throughout the season.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Valeri Nichushkin was selected 10th overall by the Dallas Stars during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Nichushkin's a physical and excellent skater to boot. According to Koshan, it's a bit of a surprise he was available at No. 10. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Bo Horvat was selected ninth overall by the Vancouver Canucks during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. He's a responsible two-way performer, which brings Ryan Kesler to mind. Benefited from playing for Hunter brothers in London. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Rasmus Ristolainenis was selected eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. He's a solid two-way defenceman, expected by many to step right in next season. Koshan says Ristolainenis' stock grew as season progressed.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Darnell Nurse was selected seventh overall by the Edmonton Oilers during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Koshan says Nurse is a smooth skater and has been compared to Chris Pronger. Father Richard played for Hamilton in the CFL.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Sean Monahan was selected sixth overall by the Calgary Flames during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Offensive forward who has lots of character. Koshan says Monahan will get a long look at Canada’s summer junior camp. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Elias Lindholm was selected fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Lindholm was the top-ranked European player available. Projected as second-line centre when he is fully ready, Koshan says. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Seth Jones was selected fourth overall by the Nashville Predators during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. That the top-rated defenceman fell is not his fault, Koshan says. The Predators will have a one-two punch of Jones and Shea Weber eventually. Hard to top that. (Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Jonathan Drouin was selected third overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Players and scouts agree, Drouin has the most talent in the draft. While he's not huge, Koshan says size will not be an issue with Drouin at the next level.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Aleksander Barkov was selected second overall by the Florida Panthers during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Although it was a surprise pick, Koshan says Barkov could wind up being the best player in the draft.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

Andre Forget/QMI Agency

Nathan MacKinnon was selected first overall by the Colorado Avalanche during Sunday's NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Koshan believes MacKinnon will be a franchise cornerstone for years to come. He's an all-around player, ready to step in now.(Andre Forget/QMI Agency)

If, and we realize it’s a fairly big if, Maple Leafs general manager David Nonis is able to clear some salary cap space before Friday — or if he is able to do it after free agency starts — here’s a glance at five pending unrestricted free agents who would be worth giving a look.

David Clarkson, RW

Clarkson won’t be the shiniest gem on the free-agent market, but he’s going to garner lots of interest if he does not re-sign with the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old Toronto native oozes character and not only plays with a chip on his shoulder, but can score as well. Clarkson’s latest salary cap hit was $2.667 million US, and you can probably add at least another million to that in the next three or four seasons. The Leafs would be foolish not to take a long, hard look at Clarkson, but that would just put them in the same boat as the rest of the National Hockey League. Clarkson will make the team that signs him immediately better.

Andrew Ference, D

The Leafs could use depth on the blue line and a veteran presence, and Ference would provide both. What’s more, he would be a positive voice in the dressing room. The Edmonton native wouldn’t be much on offence, considering he has 37 goals in 760 regular-season games, but that doesn’t matter. Offence from the blue line isn’t something the Leafs need desperately. Experience is a key for Toronto, and though Dave Bolland brings some, the fact that Ference has played in 120 playoff games in the NHL would be enticing. At 34, Ference, who had a $2.25-million cap hit last season, would become the oldest player on the Leafs roster.

Rob Scuderi, D

Scuderi is not getting any younger — he will turn 35 in December — but he is reliable and durable, as he has not missed a regular-season game with the Los Angeles Kings in the past three seasons. Like Ference, Scuderi recently won the Stanley Cup and overall has playoff experience in the NHL, to the tune of 99 games. And similar to Ference, there is not a lot of flash in Scuderi as he has scored seven goals in 585 career games. Again, it’s not what the Leafs require on the blue line anyway. Scuderi was at $3.4 million as a salary cap hit last season, but it could be that his next employer manages to get him cheaper than that.

Stephen Weiss, C

The question is obvious — will the Leafs be in the hunt for another centre now that Bolland is in the fold? Dave Nonis has said he is comfortable with his group up the middle going forward, but the caveat is there’s always room for improvement. But when push comes to shove, Weiss could be out of Toronto’s price range — unless Nonis is able to move Mikhail Grabovski and his $5.5-million cap hit. Weiss, 30, struggled with the Florida Panthers last season, scoring one goal in 17 games before a wrist injury shut him down. The knock on Weiss is that despite being an NHL regular for 10 years, he has played in a grand total of seven playoff games.

Douglas Murray, D

Try to ignore the fact that the acquisition of Murray for a playoff run did nothing for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they fizzled — not that the Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin did anything of note either. Murray hits as hard as anybody and will be a solid defensive defenceman for the team that signs him. Once again, like Ference and Scuderi, he would provide the kind of presence and experience that the Leafs need. The 33-year-old Murray’s game is simple, and he probably would not command much more than the $2.5-million salary cap hit he represented last season. In 465 career games, Murray has seven goals and 55 assists as well as 370 penalty minutes.

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Five pending UFA the Leafs should look at

If, and we realize it’s a fairly big if, Maple Leafs general manager David Nonis is able to clear some salary cap space before Friday — or if he is able to do it after free agency starts — here’s a glance at five pending unrestricted free agents who would be worth giving a look.

David Clarkson, RW

Clarkson won’t be the shiniest gem on the free-agent market, but he’s going to garner lots of interest if he does not re-sign with the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old Toronto native oozes character and not only plays with a chip on his shoulder, but can score as well. Clarkson’s latest salary cap hit was $2.667 million US, and you can probably add at least another million to that in the next three or four seasons. The Leafs would be foolish not to take a long, hard look at Clarkson, but that would just put them in the same boat as the rest of the National Hockey League. Clarkson will make the team that signs him immediately better.